AllFreeNovel
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I slip into a pair of leggings and a much too big top, then make my way downstairs. After cleaning up the broken glass, I grab my purse and head out to my car.
Arriving at Rae’s, I park in her driveway and check myself in the visor mirror. My eyes are still puffy, but not bloodshot anymore. I run my hands through my hair and finger tease it, then shake my head before stepping out of my car. I draw in a breath as I straighten my top and walk toward Rae’s house.
She swings the front door open before I can knock, engulfing me in a bear hug. I hold her tight as I let go of my conflicting emotions again. I sob in her arms as she manages to lead me into her home. She sets me down on the sofa and sits beside me. Pushing my hair from my face, Rae asks, “What’s wrong?”
I cover my face with my hands and fall against the sofa. Remembering why I’m actually here, I sit forward and ask, “Where’s Britney?”
“Relax, Blaire. She’s sleeping in the pack-n-play in my room. Look.” She holds the video baby monitor for me to see.
Cradling the monitor in my hands, I stare at my baby girl napping. It’s a bit late in the day for her to be asleep, but I don’t care at the moment. I glance at Rae and hand the monitor back to her.
“She looks so peaceful.” I smile weakly. “How was she?”
“She was perfect.” Rae takes my hand and tugs it gently. “Talk to me; let it all out.”
Taking a deep breath, I hang my head. I take several minutes to gather my thoughts, then look at my best friend.
“It’s Jaden,” I whisper and bite the inside of my cheek. My eyes close; my heart slows.
“What happened? Do you have to discipline him?” She tugs on my hand again to make me look at her.
“No, nothing like that.” My head shakes slowly.
Blowing out her breath, Rae says, “Oh good. So, what is it?”
“He was in a car accident.”
Her eyes widen and she covers her mouth with her hand. “Oh my, god. Is he…” She shakes her head. “I didn’t see anything on the news. How did you find out?”
“One of my students, Candace, she told me. Well, she shared a text Jaden had sent to her with me in class today.”
“Is he okay? Is she his new girlfriend?”
I pull my hand free from Rae’s, crossing my arms under my breasts. I huff out a breath, then say, “I don’t know how Jaden is. Or if Candace and he are seeing each other. It’s not my business. He’s just my student.” I scrunch my face tight, slamming my eyes closed.
“Um… Blaire. I love you like a sister, so I’m going to be bluntly honest with you. Jaden is more than just your student, and you know it. Your reaction to me asking if Candace is his girlfriend proves to me that you had and still have feelings for him. You can tamp them down. You can hide them all you want. You can even deny them, but you care about him much more than a teacher would care about just their student.”
My body sways as I gaze around the living room. My chin rests against my chest. Rae’s right. Jaden isn’t just my student.
“Hey.” Rae rubs my arms up and down with her hands, then squeezes me gently.
I lift my head and catch her concerned gaze.
“I don’t know what to do. Should I go to him? At the hospital? Or wait until Candace tells me more? Fuck! Rae, what do I do?” I lean forward, my head falls against her shoulder.
She wraps her arms around me and says, “Maybe you should call. Or text him. Let him know that Candace told you about his accident. Tell him you’re checking in on him.”
I nod, then bolt upright when Britney cries out. Moving around Rae so I can see the baby monitor on the end table, I reach around her and grab it. Seeing my baby standing in the pack-n-play, I jump from the sofa and rush toward Rae’s bedroom. When I see my sweet baby girl, I scoop her up in my arms, and she wraps her tiny arms around my neck.
“Mama,” she coos, and I squeeze her little body tighter.
“Yes, baby. Mama’s here. I missed you,” I say as I walk with Britney back to the living room.
Rae stands and comes toward me and Britney. She pats Brit’s back and kisses her cheek. “Auntie Rae loves you, sweetie.” Britney reaches for Rae, and I let her take her.
Happiness sweeps back into my heart as I stand beside Rae and watch my daughter hug my best friend.
“Thanks so much for keeping her for me. I owe you.” I pinch Rae’s arm.
